Measurement of CO levels following Gas Transfer Measurement

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A pilot study to measure the time taken for carbon monoxide (CO) levels to return to baseline following measurement of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) to allow determination of appropriate waiting time between test procedures.

  • IRAS ID

    193623

  • Contact name

    Tracey Fleming

  • Contact email

    traceyfleming@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 1 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Diffusing capacity (DLCO) is the measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) transfer from inspired gas to pulmonary capillary blood.
    The DLCO test is routinely performed in the lung function laboratory using the single-breath method and uses a gas mixture containing 0.28% CO. CO is the chosen gas for the test procedure as it binds to the same site on haemoglobin as oxygen and therefore is able to demonstrate the capacity of the lungs to exchange gas.
    The current ARTP/ BTS guidelines suggest that two technically acceptable test manoeuvres should be performed with a waiting time of at least four minutes in between each attempt to allow for CO levels to return to baseline. There is currently limited evidence for this wash out period of four minutes and this project aims to evaluate the appropriate time between attempts using exhaled CO measurements. The project will also evaluate whether there should be differing waiting times dependant on any lung disease that may be present as previous studies have suggested waiting times of 10 minutes in subjects with severe airflow obstruction
    Exhaled carbon monoxide levels are measured using a non-invasive, hand held monitor that gives an immediate result. These widely used monitors are usually used to assess smoking status.
    Exhaled carbon monoxide measurements will be performed before, immediatley after and at 1 minute intervals following the gas transfer measurement until they have returned to baseline.

  • REC name

    North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/NW/0053

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Jan 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion